Penang: The High Court today scheduled an eight-day defence trial in October for four individuals accused of murdering teenager T. Nhaveen nine years ago. Deputy Registrar Muhammad Firdaus Abdul Wahab confirmed the trial dates as October 7 to 9 and October 12 to 16, during a case management session held today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, an additional case management session is set for July 13, which will be conducted online before Judge Datuk Mohd Radzi Abdul Hamid. The prosecution team comprises deputy public prosecutors Mohd Amri Johari and Yazid Mustaqim Roslan, while the defence is represented by lawyers Manvir Singh Dhillon and R. Thevan.

Previously, on October 3, 2023, the High Court acquitted and discharged the four men-J. Ragesuthan and S. Gokulan, both now 27, along with two others who were juveniles at the time of the incident-of the murder charge. However, the prosecution challenged this decision, leading the Court of Appeal to overturn the acquittal and mandate the four men to present their defence.

The accused were charged with murdering Nhaveen, then 18, at a park on Jalan Bunga Raya between 11 pm and midnight on June 9, 2017. The appellate court has remitted the case back to the Penang High Court for the defence proceedings.

In addition, the four are required to defend themselves against charges of causing injury to Nhaveen's friend, T. Previin, near the Karpal Singh Learning Centre on Jalan Kaki Bukit, Gelugor, during the same timeframe on June 9, 2017. The attack left Nhaveen with severe injuries, and he succumbed to them six days later in Penang Hospital.

Previin reportedly suffered an assault by the same group using motorcycle helmets but managed to escape and seek help.